A 14-year-old from Wunstorf near Hanover is said to have been killed by a friend of the same age.
The youth, who had been missing since Tuesday evening, was found after a search of several hours in the Blumenau district, the police and public prosecutor's office in Hanover announced on Wednesday.
The boy had not returned home after a date.
As part of the investigation, a friend of the boy's age told the police that he had killed him, it said.
The 14-year-old was arrested because of the strong suspicion against him.
The youth is being charged with manslaughter.
According to initial police findings, the 14-year-old's father reported the boy missing around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
He had not returned home after meeting a 14-year-old from Wunstorf.
In the search with a large contingent of police immediately after the boy's disappearance, personal tracking dogs and a police helicopter were also used.
In the course of the investigation, according to the officials, the friend of the missing person stated that he had killed and hidden the 14-year-old.
Immediately, an extended search operation was initiated together with the fire brigade and police hundreds in the area of the Luther Forest.
The search continued through the night.
On Wednesday afternoon, emergency services found the body of the 14-year-old in the area of a wasteland in Blumenau.
There is currently no information on a motive for the crime, officials said.